Carpal tunnel syndrome

<languages /><translate> Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the hand caused by pressure on nerves that run through the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, pins and needles, and pain (particularly at night).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Causes

Anything that causes swelling inside the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, including repetitive hand movements, pregnancy and arthritis. Possible treatments include rest, splinting, cortisone injections and surgery. 

The carpal tunnel

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, which opens into the hand. It is surrounded by the bones of the wrist (underneath) and the transverse carpal ligament (across the top). The median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel and gives feeling to the thumb, forefinger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.

Many tendons also pass through this carpal tunnel and if any swelling occurs, the large median nerve can easily be compressed, causing carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, thenar atrophy

Flexor tendons run through the carpal tunnel into the hand. These tendons are covered by a smooth membrane called the tenosynovium and allow hand movement. Any thickening from inflamed tendons or other causes of swelling can reduce the amount of space inside the carpal tunnel. If left unchecked, the median nerve is squashed against the transverse carpal ligament until the nerve cannot function properly. Numbness and pain are the result. It can affect one or both hands.

The muscles of the thumb are also serviced by the median nerve. A person with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome may find they cannot properly use or move their thumb any more, and may find it difficult to grasp objects.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Pain, particularly at night
• Darting pains from the wrist
• Radiated or referred pain into the arm and shoulder
• Weakness of the hand
• The little finger and half of the ring finger are unaffected.

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prevalence

In some cases the cause cannot be found. Sometimes there is a combination of factors such as:

• Arthritis – various types of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can cause inflammation and swelling
• Pregnancy – the hormones associated with pregnancy cause general fluid retention, which can compress the nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome triggered by pregnancy usually goes away soon after birth
• Wrist fractures – bone fragments can irritate the tenosynovium or reduce the amount of space in the carpal tunnel
• Congenital factors – some people have a smaller carpal tunnel than others
• Overuse injury – the tendons in the carpal tunnel can become irritated and inflamed by awkward postures or repetitive hand movements.

Risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome

Some people are at higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

• Women between the ages of 40 and 60 years
• Pregnant women
• People with certain types of arthritis
• Anyone who experiences a period of rapid weight gain
• People who use their hands repetitively in their day-to-day activities, such as typists or assembly line workers.

Non-surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

You cannot ‘work through’ carpal tunnel syndrome. At first, the pain and stiffness may be slight. But they may increase until your hand hurts all the time. You can suffer permanent damage if the cause is not addressed. 

Non-surgical treatments can include:

• Plenty of rest for the affected hand
• Physiotherapy
• Wearing splints on the affected wrist and hand at night
• Diuretic medications to reduce your body’s retention of fluid by increasing the amount of urine passed
• An injection of local anaesthetic and a corticosteroid medication into the affected area to reduce the swelling.

Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Surgery is one treatment option for carpel tunnel syndrome. The surgeon makes an incision (cut) less than 5 cm long in your palm, and perhaps into the wrist as well, to expose the transverse carpal ligament. The surgeon then cuts the ligament to reduce pressure on the underlying median nerve. The incision in the palm is sutured (sewn) closed.

The pain and numbness might improve immediately, or over time. Generally, you should rest your hand for a number of weeks after the operation.

Medical issues for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery

Before undergoing the operation, your doctor will discuss some questions with you, such as:

• Whether the operation will be performed under local or general anaesthetic
• With general anaesthetic, whether you need to go into hospital the night before
• Whether any of the medications, herbs, or vitamin and mineral supplements you usually take might interfere with surgical medications.

Carpal tunnel syndrome Resources
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